Berlin helicopters crash kills police officer in training exercise

At least one officer is dead and four other suffered serious injuries after two police helicopters crashed into each other mid-flight during a training exercise in Berlin.

N-tv television and Bild newspaper said the accident occurred in snowy weather Thursday morning near Berlin’s Olympic Stadium when some 400 federal police officers were conducting a training exercise on dealing with soccer violence.

“Three helicopters were in the air,” an eyewitness told N-tv. “It was a real snowstorm. Suddenly we heard a bang and someone shouted ‘everybody down.’ Then there was blood everywhere. Nearby, there was a huge pool of blood.”

It’s believed the helicopters were carrying 25 officers each when the crash occurred.

Authorities so far have been tight-lipped on the details of the accident.

Fire service spokesman Sven Gerling said his initial information was that two helicopters crashed, but he had no further details on the accident.

Footage on n-tv showed at least one helicopter on its side on the ground.

Federal Police spokesman Frank Brochert confirmed there “was an incident during an exercise” and that emergency crews were on the scene. He had no details about the accident.